Please Review it is my first story and I can take criticism and any helpful hints or ideas. If you hate the story or think I'm going off the plot to much tell me that too. If you've got a though I want to hear it.
Chapter 2: The BurrowDumbledore took Harry to The Burrow a week earlier than he had planned. Harry knew that the old man was keeping secrets from him again but he kept his temper. After all Harry wasn't going to be completely honest with him either. Harry even showed the Dumbledore his new cat and told him all about how funny it was. Dumbledore had kept an owl while at school but he said his brother had had a toad. They arrived at the burrow just before lunch to have Ron, Hermione and Ginny practically tackle Harry in greeting. Dumbledore had laughed at them before departing.
'Harry it's so good to see you! You look great! Where are your glasses?' Hermione asked the summer hadn't really changed her as much as Harry thought it might. Her injuries from the ministry had all healed and Harry was grateful for that.
'Hey Hermione, I got my eyes fixed. I still have glasses though.' Harry smiled as he hugged her.
'Mate you look like a poof wearing pink. That's a girl's colour.' Ron said shaking his head at his best mate. Harry was wearing a pink shirt with black jeans.
'Shut up you, I look good in pink just because you're too scared to wear it.' Harry said and he hugged Ginny who took the opportunity to press her more ample chest against him. She definitely didn't look like Ron's little sister anymore.
'I love your kitten it's so cute.' Ginny said crouching down to scratch Hunters, ear through the cage.
'Thanks his names Hunter. You can take him out of the cage and play with him if you want.' Harry offered even though she was already moving to do so.
'Harry dear, oh don't you look wonderful!' Mrs. Weasley said racing across the lawn and giving him a hug.
'I'm clad you think so, Ron said I look like a poof.' I told her and she turned on him, hands on hips.
'Come inside Harry our school letters arrived but Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let us open them till you could open yours too.' Hermione said practically pulling me along by the front of my shirt.
'No way mate! Is that the new Thunder Clap!' Ron yelled pointing at Harry's new broom.
'Yeah I bought her at the beginning on the holidays. We should play quiditch later and I'll let you have a go. Ginny can too. But I think it's too much power for Hermione. No offence you know you're not a confident flyer.' Harry said.
'None taken, now come on I want my results.' Hermione said tugging him along again.
'Ok, ok god knows we all failed terribly.' I teased rolling my eyes at her. Hermione gasped.
'Don't say that! What if it's true!' she squealed and I laughed.
'Hermione it's not true. Come on now you're the best witch in our year.' I said as
I opened up my envelope from Hogwarts and pulled out my results.
Pass Grades: Outstanding (O) Exceeds Expectation (E) Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades: Poor (P) Dreadful (D) Troll (T)
Harry James Potter has achieved:
Astronomy E
Care of magical creatures: O+
Charms: O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: O+*
Divination: P
Herbology: O
History of Magic: E
Potions: E+
Transfiguration: O
O* in Defence against the Dark Arts: you showed the highest ability in this subject than any other student in the history of the school.
Over all school placements: 3th
Any inquiries can be sent to the education department at the ministry of magic.
Harry was shocked that he had managed to score so highly on his exams especially on his astronomy test which he had had to retake. Looking over at Ron he saw that his friend had a big grin on his face. Looking at Hermione however he saw her face was unreadable but focused.
Harry looked over her shoulder at her results. She had outstanding on everything apart from DADA which she had Exceeds Expectations. Her school placement was 1st
'Congratulations Hermione you're the smartest witch in school officially now.' I smiled.
'Thanks, what did you get?' Hermione asked and Harry showed her.
'Harry that's great I knew with study you would be great! Third overall and the highest ever score in Defence Against the Dark Arts!' Hermione said with a giant smile on her face.
'Thanks, Ron let's see what you got.' Harry asked. Ron hadn't been listening to them at all just looking at his results and telling his mum he beat Fred and George. When Ron happily swapped results with Harry he was a little surprised to see that there wasn't a single outstanding and that Ron's school placement was 42.
'Mate you did pretty well.' Harry said seeing Ron's face fall as he looked at Harry's results.
'Not compared to you. Your third and have five Outstandings I have none. Why did they make me a Prefect. You're the better one.' Ron said glumly and Harry looked for support from Hermione who didn't know what to say.
'I wonder what text books we have this year.' Ginny intervened and Harry smiled at her.
'Let's see' Harry said and tipped out his book list and a shiny red badge with a gold QC superimposed over a lion on it.
'Whoa you get quiditch captain. I totally knew you would.' Ginny smiled and Ron groaned. Ron had wanted to be head boy and quiditch captain. Harry remembered it was what he saw in the mirror.
'Ron you can't have everything. And Harry at the least disserves this.' Hermione said. Harry knew that so couldn't help but he agreed with her.
'So are we going to go to Diagon alley today?' I asked
'Oh if Arthur gets home in time I guess we can go but I won't go without him.' Mrs. Weasley said.
'Ok' Harry said. Looking at the book list he had all of his books anyway.
'You can go put your things up in Fred and George's room Harry dear.' She told him.
Harry was letting Ginny fly his new broom while he was on his firebolt since Ron suddenly wasn't interested in flying it anymore. Ron was always so easy to become jealous.
'Don't worry about him Harry he'll get over it. You disserve quiditch captain and prefect and he knows it.' Ginny said to him.
'Thanks Gin and nice sucking up to your new captain.' I smiled at her.
'I know right two birds with one curse.' She smiled back. 'Oh there's dad we can go to Diagon Alley.' We speed toward the burrow and Ginny hugged her dad on a run landing. Arthur Weasley looked worn down and tired but he laughed heartily at his daughters antics.
'Good to see you healthy Mr. Weasley.' I said landing near them and stepping up to shake his hand. Arthur opened his arms instead and hugged me.
'Harry my boy, good that you're safe. You saved my life.' he smiled.
'Well I'm glad you're safe now. Well as safe as can be now.' I smiled at him.
'Dad, can we go to Diagon Alley?' Ginny asked.
'You and Harry? What did your mother say?' he asked raising an eyebrow.
'No not just Ginny and I, we all got our school book lists so we all need to go but Mrs. Weasley is scared to take us by herself. I already have all my books but I'm an extra wand you know.' I said and he nodded thoughtful.
'I'll go talk with Molly.' He said walking into the burrow.
'I think he was going to let us go alone.' Ginny said in awe.
'We're safer in pairs or small groups. Less of us to be recognized and easier to portkey or apparate away.' I told her. 'You want to take to the skies again?' I asked her and she smiled jumping on my broom and zooming back to the paddock.
When we got to the leaky cauldron fire place I ordered us all a bottle of butterbeer from tom who looked happy for the business. Mrs. Weasley was jumpy from the word go and hesitated at the butterbeer.
'Mrs. Weasley I've already been into Diagon Alley and in here this summer. If Tom works for Voldemort I'll eat my broom.' I told her and handed the bottle to her.
'We need to go to Gringotts first lets go.' Mrs. Weasley ushered us out, if she got anymore jumpy she'd replace moody for most paranoid.
'I' don't need to go and we don't have much daylight left. How about I go get the book list and stationary. Then meet you at Madam Malkin's?' I asked her.
'N...no you can't go by yourself!' Mrs. Weasley wailed looking like she was about to have a heart attack.
'Mrs. Weasley I'll be fine. I can defend myself. And don't worry Ginny, Ron and Hermione can too, there great students. I should know.' I smiled at her.
'But but death eaters or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.' She looked near tears.
'Mum relax Harry's a great Wizard he'd kick Voldemort's scaly butt.' Ginny said.
'Molly their right Harry can look after himself. Harry and Hermione you both go and keep your whits about you and wands at the ready.' Mr. Weasley advised.
'Don't worry, Harry will protect me.' Hermione said walking to stand by Harry as Ron looked ready to object but Mr. Weasley hurried them away.
'Let's go so we can beat Mrs. Weasley to the robes store.' Harry advised.
'Yes lets.' Hermione agreed if they were last to arrive Mrs. Weasley would probably have a heart attack waiting for them.
Hermione and I had most of our robes fitted by the time that the Weasleys showed up. Ron was still a little bit out of sorts about getting left behind but he seemed better. Madam Malkin chatted away to Mrs. Weasley as she and her assistant fitted our robes. Ron and Ginny both got new robes too then they had to leave before Mrs. Weasley could have a panic attack.
'Let's go see Fred and George's shop. I haven't been in there yet, thought I'd wait for you guys.' Harry grinned and steered them toward the one bright lively shop in Diagon Alley.
'We'll if it isn't our partner Harry Potter' came twin voices and Harry looked around to see Fred and George standing surrounded by a group of kids as they were shown some rather interesting looking pranks.
'Nice to see you two finally opened up shop. Mind if I have a look around?' Harry asked and the twins both laughed.
The rest of the holidays were a blur of activity Harry, Ginny and Ron did a lot of flying while Hermione stayed firmly on the ground. Every morning Harry went for his run and did his exercises before the rest of the Weasleys or Hermione woke up.
One night Harry convinced them all to sneak out and they went and saw few muggle movies much to Ron and Ginny's fascination. It was Twilight followed by New Moon then the newest movie Eclipse both Hermione and Ginny swooned over Edward Cullen who reminded them all of Cedric Diggory.
Thankful neither Molly nor Arthur found out about it or they would have all been in a lot of trouble. Harry escaped one day into the local town and bought three copies of all the series. He gave a copy each to Ginny and Hermione and kept one for himself. Harry didn't buy one for Ron who thought the story line of the movies was complete shit.
The morning they left for Hogwarts and as always were in a rush to the last minute. They all had to wait for Ron who had left his packing to the last minute. Harry had let himself be nagged by Hermione into packing all of his things the night before. Hunter was asleep in his cage and Hedwig had decided that she was going to fly to Hogwarts rather than catch the train this year.
'Let I guess you two have to go find the prefect carriage I'll see you later. What about you Ginny?' I asked as Ron and Hermione gave sad smiles before heading off.
'Sorry Harry I promised Dean I'd sit with him on the train.' Ginny said.
'Just make sure you don't let Ron catch you and Dean "sitting" together.' Harry said making air quotation which Ginny hit him for.
'Honestly sometimes men are such pigs.' Ginny muttered walking away.
'Please I do live in the same dorm as Dean I hear a lot more than what he says in front of Ron.' Harry told her and she shot him an evil look.
'Harry there you are' Neville said appearing in front of him.
'Hi Neville lets go find a compartment.' I told him.
We didn't have to walk far to find one that people were avoiding. A blonde girl sat inside reading an upside down magazine with funny glasses. Opening the door to the surprise of the people watching him Harry said loudly. 'Luna how are you? Did you find any Crumple Horns this summer?' Before stepping inside to the shock of the people watching him.
'Oh hello Harry, I did enjoy my summer but farther and I were too busy with the quibbler to go hunting for Crumple Horns this year.' Luna said in her always dreamy voice.
'Oh well I guess there's always next summer.' Harry said with a faint though of if there really would be a next summer.
'Yes I do suppose your right. Did you fight with Voldemort anymore over the summer?' Luna asked and Harry shook his head. The only person so openly willing to speak his name was crazy.
'No Luna but I have been doing a lot of physical training and studying. I even worked on Potions this summer which if you're a Gryffindor is not a good subject to be in.' Harry grinned.
'Oh really? I'm very good at potions it's one of my best classes.' Luna shared.
'Do you think you could help me with my potions?' Neville blurted out before blushing slightly.
'I don't see why not. Will the DA be starting again I quite liked that?' Luna asked Harry and he shrugged.
'I haven't thought about it.' This of cause was a lie.
It was a few hours before Ron and Hermione came back from there patrols at which time a small first year girl came into their compartment.
'I, I have invitations from Professor Slughorn to both Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Potter.' She quacked out. Harry took one of the scrolls in her outstretched hand and smiled at her.
'Thank you.' he said politely and she fainted. Hermione burst out into giggles as Harry caught the girl. Pulling out his charms wand Harry tapped the girls head thinking Rennervate. The girl blinked and looked up at him before going bright red and scrambling out of the room.
'Harry since when can you do non-verbal spells?' Hermione asked.
'There not that hard you just basically have to say it in your head.' Raising his wand Harry thought Orchideous. Harry handed Hermione the bouquet of flowers. 'See easy.' Harry smiled. Hermione blushed but accepted the flowers. Harry opened his invitation.
'So Neville want to go to compartment C and meet this Slughorn fellow?' I asked.
'Oh ok.' Neville said still looking at the invite. It took as a little while to get to the compartment because people kept trying to stop and talk to me that was everyone apart from Cho Chang who raced into her compartment and was talking animatedly with her sneak friend when they passed. Raising his wand Harry wrote. Warning there is a Ministry Sneak in this compartment! Onto the glass so that the message melted there. The girls inside didn't say a word and as Harry walked away he saw a bunch of girls rush up to the window and laugh at Miranda.
Opening the door to Slughorn's compartment Harry was met by a giant Walrus in a suit. He looked up happily as Harry and Neville entered the compartment.
'You must be Professor Slughorn.' Harry said stepping forward to shake the man's hand. 'I'm Harry Potter and this is Neville.' I introduced and Neville stepped forward to shake his hand too.
'I'm Neville Longbottom sir nice to meet you.' They shook hands and I looked at the squished compartment.
'Harry me boy I've heard so much about you from my dear old friend Albus I just had to meet you.' The man boomed joyously as Harry pulled out his wand.
'I've heard that Dumbledore likes to tell people all about me. I hope it was all good.' I smiled as I expanded the compartment so that the people sitting at the table weren't all squished in and Ginny was revealed to be sitting beside Slughorn.
I smiled.
'Hi Ginny' Neville said relieved to know someone.
'Ah yes introduction.' Slughorn smiled and started. He got them each to talk about themselves as they went around in a circle ending with Harry.
'So tell me boy is it true that you're the chosen one?' Slughorn asked.
'I destroyed the prophesy sir, to knows ones end is a tragedy.' I said. 'I do not know but I will try.' I lied.
'Hmm very true my boy, very wise. Shame it would have been nice to know.' Slughorn sighed. 'It must have been terrifying to fight at the ministry, with wizards so much older than you.' He said.
'No it wasn't I had my friends there to back me up. We lost one man and they lost a dozen. Ginny and Neville fought alongside me. Ginny was the scariest thing I saw that night,' I teased her.
'Oh ho really you two were both there.' Slughorn beamed.
'Yeah I thought my Gran would be mad at me but she said it was the proudest moment of her life.' Neville beamed and Ginny sighed.
'My mum grounded me told me if I ever do anything like that again she'd snap my wand.' Ginny admitted.
'Really gezz I'm glad I don't have parents the Durselys don't even know there is a ministry of magic.' Harry grinned.
'What's it like to live with Lilly's sister. Your mother used to talk about her lovely big sister all the time.' Slughorn smiled.
'There muggles terrified of magic. They hate anything that's not strictly normal by their standards. In other words there really boring and never stood for any early magic that I was constantly doing growing up.' I sighed.
'Hmm yes well quite a few muggles are like that.' He said.
It was nearing 4 o'clock when they all left and headed back to their respective compartments.
'What was that about?' Ron asked when we arrived back.
'Oh Slughorn just wants to start up a special club for gifted students. He chose everyone that has family connections or talent to start off. Oh and Ginny managed to find her way in there too. Something about he saw her hexing people and thought she was rather brilliant.' Harry said and Ron's face sneered.
'Oh I bet you and Malfoy were the head of the party in that club.' The venom in his voice was palpable.
'Ron, just because you didn't get invited to the first meeting doesn't mean you won't be. Hermione still hasn't been added yet. Though we did bring her up in conversation, she is the best witch in our year.' Neville said pointedly. 'Besides it was all uncomfortable at first he wanted to know everything about my parents and wanted to know how much like them I was. Harry had to save me from putting my foot in it a few times.'
'We'll finish talking about this later, right now we need to get our robes on.' Hermione said sternly and they all obliged.